It is with a heavy heart that I post this message today. Our friend and fellow supporter John MacKenzie, known as "Johndo" or Immortal Howden Ender (and likely quite a few other things to some of you) passed away this morning while waiting for surgery.

More details and tributes to follow from many of us I am sure. 

On a personal level, I have known Johndo since I was a kid in Dalneigh. Johndo was a few years older than me, and he was always one of those you looked at as one of the cool kids.

Quite apart from his role as Dad and Granddad, he was also a hardworking and dedicated mental health medical professional in real life, but outside of that stressful environment, most of us knew him more as a joker, irreverent character,  and a wind-up merchant extraordinaire when it came to the football, whether that was Caley before the merger, or by embracing Caley Thistle after the merger, and inevitably becoming a lightning rod of criticism for those who didn't agree with his choice to follow the new club. 

Above everything else, Johndo was a friend to all who knew him.

If there is a group picture of Caley Thistle fans, be it in Romania, at Hampden, or some far flung lower division ground, Johndo is probably in it, marshalling the support somewhere. 

I am really lost for words of tribute for him right now as I have a thousand memories going through my head ... being led astray in the Tarry on occasions when visiting in recent years, unexpectedly seeing his mug on my telly in Toronto when the fans got interviewed at Hampden, or just reading his pearls of wisdom on here and looking beyond the wind-up merchant to the deep thinker he actually was.

Rest in Peace Johndo. I will miss you my friend. 

Will raise a large Voddie & Coke to you tonight and I know you will be having a sesh up there with Brosno, Big Stew and others. 

 

 

 

 

Devastating news and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

It's a hard one to process and as much as the fecker could make life tough for those running the forum at times, it was impossible to dislike him.

As with others, I have so many memories and so many stories.  Although I'm not sure all of them are for sharing 🤣

If I had a stamp, I'd lick it in his honour at the match tonight.

Rest well you loveable, difficult, old barsteward.

Never meet johndo and only came across him on this forum. He instantly brought me a smile with his probing and ‘on the edge’ of just about any tabboo subject. 
Clearly lovely by a lot of the fans. Now the Immortal part of his moniker takes it rightful place👑

Edited July 23, 2024Jul 23 by big cherly

Sad news. Thinking of Johndo's family.

I’m so sorry to see this news. IHE was such an integral part of the ICT family and journey. RIP Johndo , may you continue singing , chanting and making them smile in that Howdens End in the sky,

Very saddened and shocked to read this news. I recall IHE from the  early days of being on this forum (under its many guises). One of the originals.
Rest easy fella.
Thats two huge fans of the club, gone within a few days of each other. BOTH were great Caley fans too, back in the Highland League days. 
Shine High and Shine bright Mark and Johndo

Oh dear. Thanks to Mantis and Yngwie for letting me know. You couldnt help but love the guy. Two instant memories are firstly, at Ayr, leading the pitch invasion chants from the stand after winning 7.0 ( I think)....until Butcher took over from him. But most of all commandeering an ambulance in Romania and administering a glucose drip for John who had hit it a bit hard that hot day. We always laughed about that. Last saw and spoke to him at Hamilton I think and noted that he appeared a bit more sedate than usual. A genuinely lovely guy whose company was always entertaining and who patently used the same clothes shops as Kirsty Wark; very knowledgable about the game as well. Its too often used ....but amongst the ICT support he was a true legend. I,ll miss you big fella.

Edited July 23, 2024Jul 23 by Naelifts
addition

Another photo from 50 years ago. Johndo front row far right. The youth league cup final under the lights at clach park. I was bught utd and johndo cameron youth club. We were 8-1 up, then they started coming back at us. 9-6 final score.

There's nothing more that I can add to what everyone else has already said 😪 I, like everyone, am truly stunned and saddened by this news.

My thoughts go out to Johndo's friends, family, and the ICT community for this massive loss.

RIP IHE

I remember going to one of our games at Pittodrie a decade or more ago. Taking up my seat number I didn’t know at the time who this guy was but I thought ‘I bet this guy is that Immortal Howden Ender from CaleyThistleOnline’ !  Didn’t take long to find out this larger than life character was indeed the main man! 

Awful news . An absolute character who will be so sadly missed . 

Sad news indeed. First spoke to him in The Iona bar many years ago will be missed by many 

There are no words. Just absolutely shocked by this news. I knew he had had a bad turn a few weeks back but nothing other than a full recovery was expected. Awful, awful news. Thoughts are very much with his family and friends right now ❤️

I never had the pleasure of meeting Johndo in person but the passion in his posts on CTO were fantastic from his match day reports the last one from Annan only 10 days ago to his fun threads like Panto time a Christmas and even his passion for Olde Inverness always with a bit of humor.

We will miss him on this forum and my thoughts at this sad time are with his family and friends.

What awful news.  Such a shock. I usually only met him in pre or post match pubs, mainly at 'away' matches, all over the south of Scotland.  I had left Inverness by the time Johndo had become a stalwart in the Howden End.  He will be greatly missed. Condolences to his family.

R.I.P.  I'll raise a 'vodie' or two to you this evening.

I remember him as a young lad from Lochend and played football against him in the Welfare League. The last time I saw him he was being escorted from the ground by security! He will be so sorely missed. My condolences to his family. 

So sad to hear this news.  Rest easy friend. Met him , purely by chance , in a bar before Hamilton play off away  game and he was in great form. Condolences to his family.

So sorry to hear of the loss of Johndo - thoughts are with his family at this very sad time 😢

A huge character leaving an even bigger hole that can never be filled. RIP IHE.

Like others, I didn’t know him personally but loved his contributions on here and he was clearly a very big character.

My sincere condolences to his family. 

Edited July 24, 2024Jul 24 by Robert

Jeez,  it's so difficult coming to terms losing a mate and fellow Caley / ICT fan, Johndo seems to have been all things about our team over the years.  So sorry for the family.  He will be badly missed, hope he meets up with Big Stu and Bronson.

Very sad news. A genuine force of nature and undoubtedly a legendary figure in the Caley and ICT support over many decades. Saw him at Annan ten days ago with Mrs Johndo and his young grandkids.  My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Had a chuckle at Naelifts' story about his pitchside ambulance adventure in Romania. Johndo somehow made a miraculous recovery and I bumped into him in rude health back in Bucharest a few hours later.

RIP Johndo

 

 

So sad. I knew Johndo from the old Academy days, he was in the year above. I too remember the mock election Johndo won, his theme tune being Alice Coopers I want to be elected. 

Played football with him as well and was certainly led astray on school football trips abroad as well as in this country.  Hadn't seen him for a few years but he still was a great character.  RIP my friend and condolences to your family. 

3 hours ago, Caley Mad In Berks said:

What awful news.  Such a shock. I usually only met him in pre or post match pubs, mainly at 'away' matches, all over the south of Scotland.  I had left Inverness by the time Johndo had become a stalwart in the Howden End.  He will be greatly missed. Condolences to his family.

R.I.P.  I'll raise a 'vodie' or two to you this evening.

Feels like a real punch in the gut, don't know what else to say, anyone using this forum will know he was a big part of the ICT community. A big loss at an already difficult time for club supporters

Did we meet him before the Scottish Cup Final Sandy?, albeit briefly

 

The saddest of news and my thoughts at this time are with his family, and with everyone close to and friends with Johndo over the years.

For those who played football in Inverness "back in the day" everyone seemed to know everyone, particularly their peers across Inverness regardless of which side of the bridge you were from, through School football, Boys Brigade, Street League, Youth League and beyond. it's poignant to see the old photos presented as a tribute and to read all the memories. 

 

Absolutely gutted to hear this. I didn't know Johndo super well but I'd chatted to him fair a number of times, particularly at away games. He was a character that was larger than life and one you just don't forget. 

ICT is diminished by his loss, my heart goes out to his family. Wherever he is, I hope he finds his way to Telford Street and the Howden End is there, plus plenty of Vodka!

RIP sir. 

Edited July 25, 2024Jul 25 by Fraz